Somewhat fundamentally upsetting moment yesterday...

[PCIntern]

In the morning, I had a very well appointed young lady for a patient, I will leave her demographic out of this because it seems to raise the ire of some individuals here, and we had a lovely conversation about a number of things including her career path, etc. And as an aside I asked her simply if she was going to vote on Tuesday and she had a long hesitation and said “No I don’t think so but I don’t know.”

I responded conversationally with my canned but fairly effective speech on the need for young people to have their vote counted since this was a critically important time, to which she agreed and so at the end of the appointment she thanked me profusely for helping her out of an embarrassing situation visually, and I said, “Would you do me a small return favor and she replied “Sure”. I said “If you possibly can, could you go out and vote on Tuesday, I’m not telling you how to vote that’s not my place. But you need to understand that women have come along way in this country in my lifetime and I would hate to watch it regress, for YOUR sake, not quite so much for mine.” She nodded and said “OK” with some head nodding but I’m not sure if she meant it or not.

It bothered me the entire day. Many many millions of people don’t realize their impact by not participating.

[2naSalit]

1. They don't seem to understand...

Their responsibility as a citizen. They want all the benefits but don't see that they need to participate.

One of the problems with not teaching civics in school for decades.

[AntivaxHunters]

9. They understand perfectly

Trust me as someone with 2 kids who are both young voters.
There's reason for why that person said what they did but I'm not at liberty or allowed to discuss it here because I'd get in trouble.

[newdayneeded]

12. I'd like to hear this

[betsuni]

14. Both-sides-Democrats-corrupt-status-quo-neoliberal-wealthy-elites-corrupt-corrupt-corrupt.

I'd bet cash money.

[newdayneeded]

16. Oh, yes you're right.

A family friend came over a few days ago, we were mentioning some news stories. He blurted out how Pelosi's husband had a gay lover. millions of people misinformed. then he ripped on Biden, hoping he doesn't get back in. Since Biden became president, he's made $4 in raises. They only see what they want to see.

[betsuni]

19. Conspiracy theories and misinformation and never ever actually research anything.

Always mindlessly believe the worst about Democrats. ALWAYS blame Democrats.

[DownriverDem]

27. Sadly

look who controls the message? We don't. I remember being excited to hear liberal talk radio on my car radio. Then rich repubs startied buying up all the stations and our message was gone. All that is out there now is lies.

[Evolve Dammit]

31. There is a lot of truth to this

[inthewind21]

71. The problem is

Too many don't think for themselves. Society as a whole have let everyone off the hook. If you get conned, it's the con mans fault. If you die of a deadly virus, it's the CDC's fault. If your kid gets shot at school with an AR-15, it's mental health's fault. If the government is taken over by loons, it's talk radio, the republicans, FOX news and whatever other scapegoat's fault. Society as a whole can find something/someone to blame every ill under then sun on in it's never ending quest to remain blame free. ROE has been on the chopping block for 40+ years as has a whole host of other rights. It was broadcast often and loudly. Yet here we are, in shock that what we were told was going to happen, actually happened.

[dhol82]

96. I loved Air America Radio

So sad that it got screwed to oblivion.

[Nictuku]

103. Many of the "talent's voices" are still there via other means

FSTV (Free Speech TV) has a couple (Randi, Thom), Mike Malloy, we all know what Rachel is doing. There are probably others that I'm missing. We also have Stephanie Miller, I don't think she was on Air America, but her career was born around the time of its ending (or that is when I discovered her)

Anyway, my point is just that the voices are still out there (thank god, I need my Randi), just not on terrestrial radio (which is actually kind of going the way of the dodo, but it was great when commuting in the car. Now we use our smart phones for that, at least I did)

So the Right goes to Their Corner, and we go to Ours (DU is definitely that for me), and each side feels justified and passionate about their positions.

We all know that one of these Corners is based on actual, provable facts, and the other side is some kind of alternate truth (lie), pushed by nefarious entities. We know that they are bamboozled somehow, and we are all hoping that they figure it out soon and come back to Reality.

The thing is, I think that they think the same. Of us. Justified. Even though Logic doesn't hold up.

We know that the Democratic Party is not Perfect, not anywhere near Perfect, but it is a goal to reach for. We can make it what we want it to be. But damn, we gotta get through next week. I hope the Youth get out to vote. I voted today. There will be litigation. It is going to be a few weeks before all results are in. They will try every trick in the book. Time for all Democrats to stand together to bring their strength to get through the assault. Bring your rain coats, there will be shit flying to the walls in every direction. They are as Desperate as We are. But we have Truth on our side. Provable, scientific, statistical, factual, proof. God/dess Love Us. Stand Tall, Hold Together. We can do this, We ARE doing this! Go Team!

[dhol82]

106. All true.

GOTV!

[FoxNewsSucks]

100. They bought the stations because radio works.

They're doing the same thing with spanish-speaking radio. The same rightwing lies and hate, but in Spanish. And that's working too. The latino vote is moving to the republicon scumbags, because unchallenged propaganda works.

[whathehell]

48. My hairdresser absolutely does NOT fit that profile..

and she didn't vote until she was 30, largely, in her words, because of me. Her family was completely apolitical,
and she'd only succumbed because of my emphasizing the need.

[AntivaxHunters]

20. I'd like to be able to post about it

But can't because I would get in trouble.

[betsuni]

23. Why not give us just a little hint?

Democrats are bad, right?

[Hekate]

78. Sad, ain't it?

[Higherarky]

46. Senator John Lewis:

“Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and redeem the soul of America.”

~ John Lewis ~

[mahina]

65. you did mention that

[Dorian Gray]

107. um hmmmmm

[RocRizzo55]

49. Got it.

I am in a similar boat

[PatrickforB]

54. Kids see what they see. My kids both feel Republicans are utterly odious, but

see our party only as the lesser of evils. My son particularly has been in the finance industry for some years and feels about capitalism exactly like I do - it is a cancer that is eating up any semblance of democracy this country has left.

Like me, he sees that this oligarchy is the other half of the Dominionist Christian coin, and that coin turns on the fascist merry-go-round. We are ruled by fear of what some old white guy thinks he interprets the bible as saying, women, gays, minorities, Jewish people are hated and oppressed. Borders are closed by xenophobes, and people on the right laugh callously at horrible things like the attack on Mr. Pelosi, school shootings and the like.

In the meantime, the billionaire parasites are working feverishly with the politicians they have bought and paid for to cut taxes so they can pocket more money, pass more and more and more of the costs of everything onto middle and low income people, pass most of the burden of funding the federal government onto individual taxpayers, as well as the burden of paying for corporate malfeasance.

This all to the constant drumbeat of disciplined Republican talking points, like 'far left Democrat agenda'.

Guns, guns, guns. Far right militias arming into America's Stahlhelm and Sturmabtielung.

The climate changing for the worse, with severe storms for all to see while the trump people chant 'drill baby drill.' The oceans dying, coral reefs dying, dead zones.

Kids trapped in debt slavery right off the bat because of predatory student lending practices and a system designed to perpetuate that debt.

Housing costs so high kids have to save for years, only to see the current Fed SQUEEZE that is driving up mortgage interest rates.

Abortion rights taken away, making our daughters and granddaughters second class citizens.

My kids are disgusted with both parties because their world is turning to shit right in front of them, and they don't really trust either party. Sorry, but they feel as they do because they see us being 'nice guys' and not messaging well, while the right wing noise machine busily drives wedges, sows hate and lies.

When I speak to my children, who OF COURSE voted straight Dem, they are like Lee Marvin, playing Sergeant Steiner in Cross of Iron, who is asked by Captain Keisel why he is so ungrateful. He replies, "What do I have to be grateful for?"

[sop]

88. Yeah, that pretty much sums it all up.

[onecaliberal]

70. I'd like to hear why. Really.

[Genki Hikari]

83. Oh good grief. Not that debunked allegation of civics not being taught

It IS taught. 41 states require at least a semester of it for students to graduate high school. Most of the other states have it folded into a social studies requirement.

Unlike whoever told you that flat-out lie about no civics, I have receipts:

https://www.americanprogress.org/article/state-civics-education/

Before repeating stuff other people tell you, first see for yourself if what they've told you is true.

That way, utter BS won't be spread, yet again.

[druidity33]

89. Are you a teacher? nt.

[2naSalit]

97. I've yet to see any indication that...

Sufficient civics education is being taught in most of our schools. It would show if it were being taught.

One semester is not even close to enough information absorption time for them to grasp how intertwined their our social contract is with their daily lives and what it really means to have citizenship and the responsibilities that go with it.

Sorry, the educators in my family, and friends who are life-long educators, would vehemently disagree with your conclusion.

As an educated, participating citizen I am severely dissatisfied with the anemic level of information offered to students at any time during K-12.

Have a nice day.

[Walleye]

2. They think they are making a statement by not voting.When in fact they are getting screwed

[Richard D]

5. I'd take that one step further

They have been manipulated into thinking that they are making a statement or being cool by not voting. Every non-voter I have spoken to says something to the effect of: "both sides are the same so there is no use in voting". With so many people saying the same thing, I highly doubt that they are coming to that wrong conclusion by themselves.

[Walleye]

7. Oh absolutely true. The Republicans have been working on this my whole lifetime

[FalloutShelter]

18. THIS is the insidiousness of

Both-siderism.

Heads I win… tails you lose.

[Walleye]

43. I would challenge any pundit to discuss anything without using the words "both sides".They can't

[calimary]

90. Indeed! I have yet to find any Dems or left-leaning people

who pull this shit, or express any sort of support for it, much less join in or otherwise validate it.

This is ALL coming from ONE SIDE ONLY.

Next time I hear anybody whining the “both sides/both sides” harangue, I might just throw up.

[Walleye]

93. It's a habit with these people. Like some sort of nervous tic. They can't help it

And then when they go out to interview supposedly typical voters they always play the ones that say both sides bullshit. Maybe if I was ignorant and uninformed somebody would care about what I think, sarcasm, sort of

[calimary]

104. It may also be a misplaced determination to appear objective. Both sides! Both sides!

See, boss? I may be a Democrat, but you won't be able to tell that from my coverage! Got both sides represented equally!

So in that way, news coverage can slant the news, either deliberately or inadvertently. The "We MUST Be Objective"! quest. But if they're finding more people leaning one way, and it's NOT balanced, maybe THAT'S the story. OR it's an intentional manipulation. News people have biases, too. And most of 'em fight hard to be objective, even bending over backwards sometimes. Some are truly and utterly loathe to be accused of bias. But there IS such a thing as overcompensation as well.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

92. This☝️

[betsuni]

15. Absolutely.

[Hieronymus Phact]

28. i like to say:

if there was no use in voting, they wouldn't spend so much time and effort to stop people from doing it.

[Walleye]

44. Bingo!

[calimary]

91. Good one!

[markodochartaigh]

68. Both sides

If someone says that the corporate Republicans and the corporate Democrats both have sold out to corporations, I get that.

However, virtually all Democratic politicians are far more supportive of racial, ethnic, religious, and sexual minorities than almost any Republican politician. I try and point this out.

And, the Republican party of today is not the Bush/Cheney/Romney Republican party. Today's Republican party has sold out to the DeSantis/Abbott/Mastriano republikkkans. Even many of the corporate Republicans will not support them. We are not talking about a both sides Republican party anymore, we are talking about a winner takes all, anti-democracy party willing to win by any means necessary. We are no longer talking about going back to 1980 we are talking about going back to 1880.

There are still many, many very priveleged people who cannot see what is happening. Probably many of them will never have to worry about being poor, or the "wrong" color. Maybe they think that equality just is just not their problem. Maybe when the authoritarians have sucked dry the US economy and caused the dollar to lose its reserve currency status, maybe these priveleged people will still be priveleged, maybe not.

[FoxNewsSucks]

101. That's true.

The worst corporate Dem is still better than the best corporate republicon scumbag.

I'm just tired of the "settling for".

[Mopar151]

105. Jury Duty!

I've had several assure me that they would not register to vote, as that was where the Court picked jurors from.. Plus doesn't matter, both sides,

[Chellee]

79. If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. -D. Tutu

[Walleye]

81. I was privileged to see Desmond Tutu speaking in a small setting a few years back

He was here in Wilmington to receive an award and held a press conference taking our questions. I was so impressed with his clear understanding of morality.Also he could be funny, and I still remember some of the enlightening points he made. still love that man. If only all Christians were really like him.

[Chellee]

95. What a wonderful memory!

I was'nt lucky enough to hear him speak in person, but his wisdom and humor shine through his writings.

[piddyprints]

3. Good job.

I hope she follows up. I'd love to hear your "canned but fairly effective speech."

It is frustrating for me because I can't get my own daughter to vote. She considers politics boring, but is happy to keep track of the student loan forgiveness while blindly ignoring what and who is making that possible. She's a 45-year-old divorced professional. I get that voting Democrat in a state like TN seems like a huge waste of time, but we have the chance to elect a new governor this year and so many like her just won't bother.

I do have a good friend who was not planning on voting. I may have persuaded her to, but I don't know.

Seriously, no one cares what I say when it comes to politics and voting.

[Joinfortmill]

37. They may soon wake up to authoritarianism. WTF?

[markodochartaigh]

69. "no one cares what I say when it comes to politics and voting."

I care. I've never met you and I never will. I have only driven through Tennessee a couple of times, maybe before you were even born. But I care that there are people like you, in places like Tennessee who are able to see what is happening and who are willing to stand against authoritarianism.

[piddyprints]

110. Thank you.

I have been sounding the alarm since GW Bush stole the 2000 election. We voted that ballot in Palm Beach County and I remember thinking something was very wrong with it because you had to wiggle it just right to cast a vote for Al Gore.

All my friends and relatives told me I was being too alarmist and I shouldn't get so upset about politics. One of my daughters, who had joined the Air Force in 2000, asked me, "Did you know I could go to war?" Well, yeah, that's what the military is about and maybe she should have voted against the warmonger. (She didn't vote at all.) We all know how delightful those 8 years were.

Fast forward to 2016. I was inconsolable, and everyone found it necessary to lecture me about "checks and balances." TFG wouldn't be able to get away with much. Yeah, right.

I was also told by several of my relatives that they would never overturn Roe v. Wade. Now that they've done it, I'm hearing that the GQP wouldn't dare touch Social Security and Medicare. My husband, who calls himself a liberal and votes for Democrats all the way, is one who has said both things to me.

It is discouraging that my vote doesn't count for much in TN. I always hope there are more Democrats than it seems, but we really are in the minority and so many don't bother to vote. Most of the races have Republicans running unopposed. There was not a single Democrat on one of my recent primary ballots. For General Elections, I write in a Democratic friend rather than taking the chance that someone will mark the Republican on my ballot when they see it blank. Yeah, they will win, but they certainly will not get my vote. Ever.

[llmart]

4. When this election is over and the votes are in...

I'll be interested in seeing the percentage of eligible voters who actually voted. Even more so, I will be interested in seeing the percentages of the voters identified with each party that voted. It is often said that if Democrats get out and vote, we win. If I see that the number of registered Democrats who actually voted are disappointing, I'll have a difficult time dealing with that. I can't recall a more important election in my lifetime.

[littlemissmartypants]

6. ❤️

[Joinfortmill]

38. Me too

[GreenWave]

8. Some folks seem to need the consequence in real life first.

But by then it will be too late.

[PCIntern]

10. You're quite right but...

In many cases even that doesn’t seem to make a difference

[FalloutShelter]

21. I agree.

Young women have never had to face these issues and they wrongly believe that they can STILL exercise control for THEMSELVES.

Many think this is only an issue for poor women… or women who are not savvy enough to use the work-around. (Morning after pill… out of state options etc.)

They have never faced this and therefore, many don’t believe it will ever touch them.

The arrogance of youth…combined with the privilege of money.

I have been spending a lot of time discussing this with my granddaughters and their friends.

[Traildogbob]

40. Young people

Have never had to face a draft, get sent immediately into a dead end war without the right to vote. And not live to vote after 21.

[RocRizzo55]

51. Exactly

Which is one of the main reasons imnsho why they gave 18 year olds the right to vote.

[Traildogbob]

58. We raised hell

To get that right. Those left here that did not get a lucky draft number and those of us that made it back. ALL “young” people made that happen, because skin in the game. Young people today don’t even wanna harsh their buzz by thinking about the game, and THINK their skin will not be affected. Not here preaching for a draft, just a rude awakening as horrific as time in a war zone, may be what it takes for them to give a damn. That SHOULD be reproductive rights. Not just for women, but the men who love their daughters, wives, sisters, ALL women in their lives. Seniors losing their livelihood and health care should also be as horrifying as that draft notice with a number under 200.

[RocRizzo55]

59. I know. I did

My draft number was 202.

[Traildogbob]

62. 🤜🤛

Mine was 324. I joined the Navy, did not know how high up they would draft. Though being on a Destroyer would be safer. Many many friends took a chance. Did not return. So, I was part of the hell raising to earn the right to vote at the age you lose the right to live.
My anxiety right now is becoming as high as it was then. To take it ALL away. Again, let us die for their wealth.

[whathehell]

55. Please..There are many poor, and working class

people who don't vote and my example upthread is one of them..Lack of education, a quality most of the wealthy do NOT share, plays, a large part of it.

[geardaddy]

63. Some of that is access to voting though.

Their bosses won't give them time off to vote, available transportation to the polls, etc.

[whathehell]

66. Again, please..If voting were restricted to Election Day

I might agree, but we have Early Voting and Vote by Mail..Many, like my hairdresser, just never, for whatever reasons, felt the need .

[geardaddy]

72. Yes, there are those options

but are they aware of the options?

[whathehell]

75. If they're within earshot of a radio or TV they are..

Other factors are at play, imo.

[Genki Hikari]

86. Vote by mail

Isn't an option for most people in red states.

Even early voting can be difficult to swing, if you're a shift worker, or have multiple jobs. Or you're a college student who's also working long hours.

I was impressed when I heard that San Antonio lets voters cast their vote wherever they like in the city. They aren't bound to a designated precinct. All of the colleges also have early voting sites on, or walking distance from, their campuses.

That beats how it used to be when I lived there. I worked across town, but the only place I could go vote was at the local high school on election day. I managed to get in there by leaving work early.

What freaked me out was that there was no line at all, and maybe--MAYBE--three other people there. For a POTUS election!

[former9thward]

99. That is not true.

About 40 states, including most red states, have vote by mail or no-excuse absentee voting which is the same thing. In fact very Blue states like NY do not have vote by mail.

https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/vopp-table-1-states-with-no-excuse-absentee-voting.aspx

And no, early voting is not "difficult to swing". People have time to go to the store, bars, etc. They have time to take a few minutes to vote.

[Rebl2]

56. Good for you

talking with your granddaughters and their friends.

[Nevilledog]

80. It's The Shirley Exception

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216927395

[dlk]

11. When someone doesn't vote, they give two votes to the person they don't agree with

They are making a conscious decision to give away their power to others who often mean them harm. Too often, non-voters want the benefits of living in a democracy while avoiding the responsibilities. They let others do the work of voting. It’s selfish.

[leftyladyfrommo]

13. At least she will think about it and think about

what you said. You just never know where the ripples from conversations go.

[Texin]

45. Probably not. She won't think about it - or have to - until she has an ectopic

pregnancy and faces death when there is no remaining legal antidote to her septicemia. There will be thousands of these young women (and girls and middle-aged women) facing death or the heartbreak of having to raise profoundly abnormal infants until they themselves drop dead from old age.

[Meowmee]

17. People like that disgust me.

Total narcissists and just stupid. There are millions of people like that, just like that.

[TexasBushwhacker]

22. Way too many potential voters refuse to support the okay

in a quest for the perfect. THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GET "PERFECT".

EVER

And when you have idiots like Susan Sarandon saying "Bring on the revolution" they fail to recognize the collateral damage that "revolution" brings to everyone but rich white people. Sure, it will hurt some of the rich white people too, but they'll survive it. I'd really rather not bring out the pitchforks just yet. Just fucking vote.

[betsuni]

24. +1

[FakeNoose]

82. Susan Sarandon says "Bring on the revolution"

Meanwhile Steve Bannon says "Burn it all down."

There's very little difference between the two.

[TexasBushwhacker]

85. And - SURPRISE - they're both rich!

[Marthe48]

25. The despots have chipped away for years

about how our votes don't count. Their message had managed to erode the value our votes have, to the point that the turnout got lower and lower. But President Obama's campaign galvanized all of us, and the numbers of registered, active voters has been increasing. The despots don't like that, so they are bringing their old weapon of indimidation back into play.

Each of us have a vote that matters. If it didn't matter, our vote and our participation would not be attractive or desirable to so many people. Nor would it be threatening to so many others.

[Silent3]

30. It doesn't require despots chipping away...

...which perhaps they've done, but ignorance and apathy and misinformation among the general public are, sadly, the baseline normal condition.

[Marthe48]

36. People who don't like the franchise

have been undermining the need or the right to vote for so long, that their static is background noise. The despots, or their henchmen have done a terrific job engendering ignorance and apathy. Why is the person apathetic? Hesitant to commit to voting? Not seeing their participaton is vital? How many times over the years have we heard that our vote doesn't matter? Not to mention threats of violence at the polling places, not to mention how early voting in any form is getting attacked, and may not count if there is a smudge of ink in the wrong place, and finally how inconvenient it is to vote on the day? Can't even get water in line.

But in spite of the warfare against democratic elections, people are casting their ballots. Come what may, there are a huge number of Americans who believe in the system, and are making their voices heard. I hope there are so many that red disappears off our maps.

[samnsara]

26. My Scottish son in law became a citizen in October. Hes been in the US for 16 years..

...but the politics of the day ( and the influence of my dtr) prompted him to become a citizen so he can VOTE!!!

[Mr. Ected]

29. For her and anyone else who may suffer the consequences of their apathy in the future

Hindsight will be 20/20. "If only I had taken the time to vote, maybe I could have avoided this monster in my life".

You did all you could. Thank you.

[niyad]

32. Thank you for sharing this. May she take your words to heart, and votte as

if her life depends on it, because it does.

[czarjak]

33. Non-voters are why we're here.

[Joinfortmill]

34. Thank you for your efforts. Discouraging, her

[cyclonefence]

35. My fear is that our candidates

are hard-working, conscientious, *patriotic* people, most of whom have been invested in public service their entire lives, but because they are not outrageous loud-mouthed assholes like Herschel Walker or MTG they are not exciting to the electorate, and people, especially young people, will not feel motivated to go to the polls.

It seems to me that if overturning Roe v. Wade doesn't get young people (and everyone else) off their duffs, I don't know what will.

[Ligyron]

52. Sometimes I think we need a Democratic version of Trump.

Maybe someone who is already famous like a rockstar or actor and it would help if they were liked by both sides previous to their running.

Also, it would be helpful if they had a big mouth.

[Shipwack]

39. Applicable quote...

“One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.”
- Plato

Of course, sometimes you vote and you still end up being governed by your inferiors…

[Rebl2]

60. Plato

was correct, but so are you. Especially in my state we are governed by many maga people unfortunately.

[dalton99a]

41. Kick

[vlyons]

42. Turning people off to political participation is part of their plan

Make it ugly, vitriolic, extremely unpleasant. Make them feel that it's all rigged, so why bother.

[appalachiablue]

108. +1

[keithbvadu2]

47. Some women would give up the right to vote in order to elect Trump

Some women would give up the right to vote in order to elect Trump

http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/trailguide/la-na-trailguide-updates-trump-backers-tweet-repealthe19th-1476299001-htmlstory.html

Oct. 12, 2016,

Trump backers tweet #repealthe19th after polls show he'd win if only men voted

As polls show that Donald Trump would overwhelmingly win if only men were allowed to vote, the GOP nominee's supporters have spawned a new Twitter hashtag: #repealthe19th.

That’s a reference to the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.

[jaxexpat]

50. Young people have been taught since birth .....

that their inheritance in this world is only lies, broken promises and fools in power. That all the good stuff is being horded by the baby boomers and politicians are all evil fools.

[Rebl2]

53. All I

know is if young people or any people for that matter, that are eligible to vote and do not vote, you have no right to complain. If we lose our democracy, social security and Medicare that will be on you.

[Backseat Driver]

57. Some who sheepishly say "no, they're not voting" are being honest because they are not even

registered to do so. Then, some will explain, "I really meant to get registered, but blah, blah blah..." For those of any age, we need to find out if they are even registered to vote before trying to get them to try to cast a ballot on Election Day and encourage even that initial first step in the process. Be prepared with what registration rules for, say, something like same day voter registration, if applicable, are in your state. A poor experience at the polls will only further discourage a potential voter.

[ancianita]

61. The immature and unwise don't want to see consequences of their inaction in the face of threat.

They want to 'see what happens,' exhibiting prolonged immaturity and/or learned helplessness.

Or they only learn the hard way, after they feel the consequences of their inaction; at which point, they think they're adults who willingly 'take their licks' for 'what happened to them', or even what they realize they contributed to, either of which just further solidifying the belief that 'suffering backslides' is 'inevitable.'

Of all the functional big people walking around, they are the grownup (the body got bigger but the adolescent never grew up) half, not the adult half. The adult half knows to fight in advance against forces that would harm them and others' futures.

The comfort of least resistance, and just coping, don't advance humanity or democracy.

Yours is a poignant story that should bother all of us. I've experienced the same.

[bluesbassman]

64. I had a slightly different encounter.

A co-worker, who I have a lot of respect for in most areas and who despises Greg Abbott, informed me that he had early voted and had cast his vote for the “Independent” candidate. I know he is a long time Republican, but I also know he is definitely a moderate and not a drop of MAGAt. Still I was a little shocked and calmly declared that his “Independent” vote was a essentially a vote for Abbott, a
and the only way we’re getting rid of him is to support Beto. He gave me some jive about how we have to get “third parties” up and running. I said that now is not the time, we’re in a democracy crisis and authoritarians like Abbott need to be swept out of office. Made me a little sad.

[inthewind21]

74. Ah

the old "WE" have to get third parties up and running. Well, what's HE doing to accomplish that other than throwing away his vote? Remember the Tea Party? Yeah, they all ran as republicans. When I find myself in a situation where I don't like either choice. And it HAS happened. I ask myself, which one will be the least damaging and go from there. And the answer is ALWAYS crystal clear. I hear all this third party nonsense yet NO ONE is willing to put in the work to actually form a third party and put in the years of work it will take to get them viable. Instant gratification. If it's not here RIGHT NOW, I'll stomp my feet, throw a fit and do the very thing that will land me, and the rest of the country in the worst possible position. Makes perfect sense.

[bluesbassman]

77. So true.

It’s part of the “both sides are the same” myth.

I’d love to see a viable third party. Probably won’t happen in my lifetime though.

[tiredtoo]

67. Have a 30 something grandson and his girlfriend

who do not vote. I told them there is at least a 50 percent chance you will live to regret this decision.

[appalachiablue]

109. Amen

[The Mouth]

73. Especially in local races

I live in California. Who I vote for in the Presidential election means nothing. Who I vote for Senate means nothing; those *will* be Democratic.

School board, City Council, County Supervisors- those races have come down to a dozen or so votes in my direct experience, and those actually matter more in my day-to-day existence.

President Biden will take CA regardless of what I do, and we'll send Democratic senators to D.C; but all it takes is a few hundred people not paying attention and the fascist nutters will have a majority on the school board or the board of Supervisors, and they can do a lot of damage, quickly. Some of those races are down to 7 or 8 votes.

"All politics is local"
-Thomas P. 'Tip' O'Neal

[cab67]

76. not voting is selfishness.

Nonvoters are relying on voters to make decisions that impact everyone's lives.

And nonvoters who cry out that the Democratic Party is too "corporate" or insufficiently progressive - you realize that not voting would increase the likelihood that a Republican - someone far worse than any Democrat - wins an election. Right?

You're basically saying that because none of the parties caters to your own sense of doctrinal purity, they don't get your vote. In other words, your own sensibilities are more important than the needs of everyone.

Selfishness personified.

(Realize I'm preaching to the choir here. Or I hope I am, anyway.)

[Genki Hikari]

84. In an earlier generation

I used to tell them that the band Rush was right:

If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

Same thing with voting. If you don't vote, you've still voted. Namely, you've voted for everything to stay the same as it is, so I always tell the non-voters that it's THEIR fault when the things they hate don't change.

[FakeNoose]

87. That's an awesome way to put it

I think I'll borrow that.

[MustLoveBeagles]

98. This

[Bluethroughu]

94. I got into the voting conversation with a young salesman.

He said he felt like both parties are the same, and I said history tells us differently. It was not so long ago that my husband would have owned me and the kids, but even so black folks were killed for looking my way.

Together we vote, for a better future. He smiled and said he would. I said mine will be a Democratic straight ticket, no need to think about the party of racists and woman haters, we've been there and done that, and the future can be what we want it to be, but we need to VOTE for the people that closer aline to our ideals, instead of all or nothing.

[FoxNewsSucks]

102. That's so true